Art Supplies FAQ: Products and Painting Advice
This page answers questions about what to buy and how to use it. For delivery times, payment and returns, see our ordering and delivery FAQ.
Ordering in short
- Free NZ shipping on orders over $75. Under that it's $8.99 ($25 to $74.99) or $5.99 (under $25).
- Orders are dispatched from Morningside, Auckland in 1–3 working days, with a tracking link by email.
- We ship within New Zealand only.
- Unopened items can be returned within 14 days. Anything damaged or wrong, tell us within 7 days of delivery and we'll sort it. Full details on the ordering and delivery FAQ.
Products and Brands
Do you stock Mont Marte?
Yes. Mont Marte is our main brand, and we carry its acrylic, oil and watercolour paint, brushes, canvas, easels, drawing gear and clay. See the Mont Marte collection.
Which acrylic paint should I buy?
For learning, Mont Marte Signature. It's the cheapest line and fine for practice, classes and kids. Move to Premium Satin when you want stronger colour, or Dimension for thick, textured paint. Compare them on the acrylic paint page.
Do you stock student-grade or artist-grade supplies?
Both. Signature and Discovery are student grade. Premium is a step up in pigment. Product titles say which line each item belongs to.
What's the difference between acrylic and watercolour paint?
Acrylic is opaque, dries quickly and you can paint over mistakes, so it's easier for beginners. Watercolour is see-through and builds up in thin layers, and it needs proper watercolour paper. See acrylic paint and watercolour paint.
Are your products NZ stock or imported?
Everything ships from our Morningside, Auckland warehouse. Mont Marte is an Australian brand, and some other lines come from overseas suppliers.
Painting and Drawing Advice
What paint should I start with as a beginner?
Acrylic. It's forgiving, dries quickly, and you can paint over mistakes. Start with red, blue, yellow, white and black, or a small set. Our beginner starter kits put paint, brushes and a surface in one box.
What canvas size is best for beginners?
Small to medium: around 20 x 25cm (8 x 10 inches) up to A3. Big enough to work on, small enough that you won't worry about wasting it. See single thick canvas and canvas panels.
Do I need special brushes for acrylic paint?
Not expensive ones. Synthetic (taklon) brushes suit acrylic and are cheap and hard-wearing. A basic set with rounds, flats and filberts covers most techniques. Browse paint brushes.
How do I mix colours?
Red and yellow make orange, yellow and blue make green, and blue and red make purple. Add white to lighten and a touch of the opposite colour (or black) to darken. Mix on a palette and make small test patches.
What's the best surface for acrylic paint?
Stretched canvas, canvas panels or canvas pads. You can also paint on wood, card and heavy paper, but prime them first with gesso so the paint grips.
How long does acrylic paint take to dry?
Thin coats are touch-dry in about 15 to 30 minutes. Thick layers take a few hours, and paint is fully cured after about 24 hours. A spray bottle of water keeps paint workable on the palette.
How do I stop acrylic ruining my brushes?
Don't let paint dry in the bristles. Rinse as you go, wash in soapy water when you finish, reshape the tip, and store brushes bristles-up.
What drawing supplies should a beginner buy?
A few pencils (HB, 2B and a soft 4B or 6B), an eraser, a sharpener and a sketchbook. Add charcoal or coloured pencils later. See drawing supplies.
Is it better to buy a set or individual items?
A set is usually better value when you're starting, because you'll use most of it. Once you know your favourite colours and tools, buy those singly.
Can I paint on canvas that isn't primed?
You can, but raw canvas soaks up paint unevenly. Prime it with gesso first. Most canvases we sell come pre-primed, and the product description will say so.
What's an easy first painting project?
Keep it simple: a still life of one or two objects, a sky or sea landscape, abstract shapes, or a page of colour mixing. Our guide to starting acrylic painting walks through a first session.
Still stuck? Email info@handymandy.co.nz with what you're making and your budget, and we'll suggest what to buy.